The tension in the air grew palpable as her eyes met mine and I made sure to keep my expression blank while she easily did the same. It annoyed me to no end that she could hide her emotions so easily; maybe as easily as I could.

I hated that we were on such even ground with regards to shielding our emotions from the world. It made my teeth clash that she’d had to learn to. Elena followed her mother's eyes and let out a loud, happy squeal when she saw me before climbing off the high chair, running towards me and flinging herself onto my arms. I caught her with a chuckle, her joy and obvious love soothing me more than any sigil ever could.

“Daddy! I didn't know you were coming here. Did you smell our muffins? They were supposed to be a surprise for you; mommy was helping me make them for you. But its fine, you can take them today. Adrie just went with Harpah to ask grandma if she can sleep with me, she said Adrie might soften her up, she would have taken me with her because Adrie didn't really want to but I was making your muffins so I couldn't leave.” she said it all in one breath while she clung to me. I couldn’t help my laugh. I kissed her forehead before placing her back on the ground and squatting before her.

“Breathe baby.” I chuckled when she made a show of taking a deep breath. “And to answer your question, no unfortunately I did not smell your muffins until I was quite near the house but they smell divine. Thank you for making them for me. I’ll make sure to take them with me.” Elena beamed at me before hugging me again. I hugged her back with a happy chuckle I didn't even recognize from myself and my eyes my Lanthe's striking and, once again, soft ones. I stared at her as I spoke again.

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“I came to speak to your mother for a while.” I said and watched as Aleks swallowed nervously. I loved seeing that honest reaction from her and I wanted to storm up to her and release the lower lip she was biting softly and bite it harder. I wanted to tell her that she wasn’t allowed to bruise herself in anyway, only I could leave bruises all over her body.

My face must have given some of my thoughts away because Aleks visibly shuddered before she tore her eyes from mine and addressed Elena.

“Honey, it's your bedtime now. Run along and change then your dad can help you brush your teeth and tuck you in before he talks to me.” She said eyeing me inquisitively.

I nodded at the welcome but unexpected offer while Elena let out another squeal and ran out of the room, leaving her mother and I in an awkward and silent standoff. She seemed to be waiting on me to say something but I couldn’t help but look at her anew and see her.

She was closed off.

Even more closed off than usual, and looking at her some more, I realized that she was probably upset and uncertain. Seeing that made me realize that I had never been aware of her feelings in that way, she had just never drawn much attention towards them. Something about that bothered me so much.